Crackling Breathing

[Ducky2003]

Good morning. I had cardioversion number 3 on Weds and all good so far. However, I woke early hours of Thursday morning and this morning with crackling and laboured breathing, and had to prop myself up. I'm guessing is down to fluid as I'm fine during the day standing up. I have had this quite some time ago when I was having water retention issues but that has been ok for a couple of years now and I'm just baffled why this has kicked in since the cardioversion. Any ideas please folks?

[BobD Volunteer]

I really think you need to speak to your doctor about this Ducky.

[Ducky2003 in reply to BobD]

I rang the ward were the cardioversion was performed as they had given me their number in case of issues. The woman I spoke to was very unhelpful and said it was nothing to do with them so I should contact my GP or go to A&E if I was that bothered! I asked why I was given a number if they washed their hands of you and she said it only applied immediately after the cardioversion. I said I would have thanked her for her help if she'd offered any.

Managed to speak to my cardiologists secretary and she liased with him. He said, if it was manageable, give it a few days to see if it settles but if at any point it's worse, to go to A&E to get checked out.

[wilsond in reply to Ducky2003]

Glad you eventually got some advice! Love your comments to Unhelpful Nurse.

Best wishes

[wilsond]

I would call a Dr asap or 111. Xx

[Ducky2003 in reply to wilsond]

Thanks. See above.😊

[A4fan]

Ducky - I had a very similar experience. I was find during the day, but would wake up at night having so much trouble breathing that I too had to prop myself up on several pillows. My doctor prescribed a diuretic which made a huge difference.

[Ducky2003 in reply to A4fan]

Thanks. I had to take Furusemide a couple of years ago whilst on Diltiazem and lost 3kg in fluid in 24 hours. It's not at that level now but I definitely feel there is an issue and I'm getting a cricked neck sleeping propped up. Will see how it goes in next couple of days otherwise it will be a trip to A&E as per cardiologist advice. Just baffled as to why it's happened since the cardioversion.

[A4fan]

I don't think even the doctors have a good understanding of what causes afib or all the physical effects it has. With the best of intentions, I think a lot of the time they try things and see how they work. I've had serious reactions to several of the meds my cardiologist and electrophysiologist prescribed. Furosimide was one of the few that didn't cause unwanted side effects.

[Ducky2003 in reply to A4fan]

Tell me about it. I was put on Bisoprolol at the start and it was horrendous. After 3 months and doing my own research, I told them I wanted Diltiazem instead and they agreed.

[Jonathan_C]

I may be completely wrong, but ask people who understand asthma if in fact what you experienced is asthma. I spent 40 years of my life thinking that what was asthma was a symptom of my heart conditions (i call them conditions, doctors call them "heart disease").

My gut and immediate reaction when I saw your message is that its asthma.

[Ducky2003 in reply to Jonathan_C]

Hi Jonathan. Just to say, you were in the right area. I have a chest infection, a consolidation so it only showed up on xray. On high dose antibiotics now. There is fluid retention but only slight and not on my lungs and this should clear when I'm more active again. Its apparently a coincidence it presented with symptoms on the night of the cardioversion. Many thanks.😊

[Ducky2003]

It's only since the cardioversion and I'm retaining fluid elsewhere too. As I mentioned, I have had this exact issue before with fluid retention but never after a cardioversion. Going to the hospital tomorrow so hopefully, I will get to the bottom of it😊

[Aniela]

Did you go to A&E and how did you get on. Hope it's all been sorted.

[Ducky2003 in reply to Aniela]

Hi. Yes I did and I have a chest infection. On high dose of antibiotics. Only showed up on the xray as its a consolidation so the Dr and the nurse couldn't pick it up with the stethoscope. It's just coincidence that it presented with symptoms on the night of the cardioversion. There is fluid retention but none in the lungs and that should clear when I become more active again, hopefully, as soon as this infection has gone. Many thanks for checking in on me.😊